About Us THE ALBERTA BAROQUE ENSEMBLE Paul Schieman – Artistic Director

Background | The Ensemble | Recordings
Board of Directors | Staff | Sponsors

WHAT IS THE ALBERTA BAROQUE ENSEMBLE?

The Alberta Baroque Ensemble is a professional ensemble of musicians whose repertory is primarily the music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and whose performance practices reflect the spirit and style of the period in which the music was composed. The ensemble seeks to communicate the spirit of the Baroque by striving for excellence in performance and programming, thus continuing to develop a regional ensemble and to broaden the audience for live musical performance.

The Alberta Baroque Ensemble was founded in 1980 by its present Artistic Director, Paul Schieman. The ensemble consists of 16 professional musicians with extensive training and experience with such renowned orchestras as the London Symphony Orchestra (England), The Montreal Symphony and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The Alberta Baroque Ensemble annually performs a five–concert Main Series in Edmonton to continually sold out houses.

The Alberta Baroque Ensemble is governed by a registered charitable society, The Alberta Baroque Music Society, which exists to promote and foster excellence in the Alberta Baroque Ensemble and the performance and appreciation of Baroque music.

The Alberta Baroque Music Society is very proud of its history of fiscal responsibility with a long term goal of self–sufficiency through the generous support of all its donors and sponsors.

THE BAROQUE EXPERIENCE

The spirit of the Baroque was one of dynamism and adventure, pomp and monumentality, opulence and flamboyance. To experience this exciting age in music, we turn to men like Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli and Telemann, whose creations are richly imbued with sensuous melodic lines, glowing sonorities, luxuriant counterpoint and driving rhythmic energy. The period we call "Baroque" in music stretched across a span of a century and a half, from 1600–1750. It is customary to divide the musical Baroque into three neat 50–year segments: early, middle and late. Most of the music in the popular repertory is from the late period (1700–1750).

top

BACKGROUND OF THE ENSEMBLE

• Formed in 1980
• The core ensemble consists of 5 first violins, 4 second violins,
  3 violas, 2 cellos, bass, harpsichord and conductor
• Performs at the acoustically superb Robertson-Wesley United Church in Edmonton
• Averages 450 subscribers per season
• Frequently heard on CBC national and regional radio broadcasts.
• String players perform with Baroque bows
• Annual budget approximately $200,000
• Annual tours of Alberta
• 60% of expenses are in concert production
• Revenues are derived from government grants, box office, sponsorships, donations and fundraising events
• Consistent sold out houses for Edmonton performances
• Educational component included with each concert presentation

top

THE ENSEMBLE

top

THE ALBERTA BAROQUE ENSEMBLE RECORDINGS

top

THE ALBERTA BAROQUE MUSIC SOCIETY
Board of Directors 2007–2008

THE ALBERTA BAROQUE MUSIC SOCIETY
Staff

THE ALBERTA BAROQUE MUSIC SOCIETY
Honorary Lifetime Members

top

ABE CHAIR SPONSORS

top